A Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers has been grounded in France over suspected "human trafficking," authorities said Friday, December 22. The plane had taken off from the United Arab Emirates.

The aircraft carrying passengers "likely to be victims of human trafficking" was detained on Thursday after an anonymous tipoff, the Paris public prosecutor's office told Agence France-Presse. The national anti-organized crime unit JUNALCO has taken over the investigation, prosecutors said.

The prefecture in the northeastern department of Marne said the A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, "remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing." The plane had been due to refuel and was carrying 303 Indian nationals, it said.